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An Economic History of the World since 1400

By: Donald J. Harreld,The Great Courses
Narrated by: Donald J. Harreld
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Publisher's Summary

Most of us have a limited understanding of the powerful role economics has played in shaping human civilization. This makes economic history - the study of how civilizations structured their environments to provide food, shelter, and material goods - a vital lens through which to think about how we arrived at our present, globalized moment.

Designed to fill a long-empty gap in how we think about modern history, these 48 lectures are a comprehensive journey through more than 600 years of economic history, from the medieval world to the 21st century. Aimed at the layperson with only a cursory understanding of the field, An Economic History of the World since 1400 reveals how economics has influenced (and been influenced by) historical events and trends, including the Black Death, the Age of Exploration, the Industrial Revolution, the European colonization of Africa, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the birth of personal computing. Professor Harreld has crafted a riveting, centuries-long story of power, glory, and ideology that reveals how, in step with history, economic ideas emerged, evolved, and thrived or died.

Along the way, you'll strengthen your understanding of a range of economic concepts, philosophies, trends, treaties, and organizations, including the mercantile system, Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations, Marxist economics, African independence movements, and the formation of economic organizations including the European Union. You'll also consider provocative questions about the intersection of history and economics. What did the economies of Roosevelt's America and Hitler's Germany have in common? What does history tell us about how nations should dictate economic policy? Can we say that free trade is truly free?

Marvel at just how much we still have to learn about the economic forces that have dictated our past - and that will dictate our future.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2016 The Great Courses (P)2016 The Teaching Company, LLC

What listeners say about An Economic History of the World since 1400

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    4 out of 5 stars

I have learnt a lot

For someone who doesn't know a lot about economics, this book clearly identified aspects in a language i could understand.

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4 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Economic history of only Europe

The title is misleading and the claim that this is economic history of world is totally wrong.
This book is only the economic history of Europe.
Europe started becoming relevant only after its people began occupying outside lands and that is why the author can find anything of relevance to talk about Economics only from 1400.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

An enlightening journey

I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone wanting to understand the journey the world has taken to lead us to our present world economic situation. Very well presented, thorough and stimulating. I enjoyed the listen and many of my questions were answered. I learned much.

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2 people found this helpful

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very interesting and informative

Wow. this is like 40+ hours but it definitely is worth it. very well narratored. found it easy to listen to. the terminology used was well explained for those without an understanding of economics. obviously it covers a lot but nothing in too much detail. but definitely helped me to try and piece a few things together. would definitely recommend.

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good content poorly delivered

A really great series of lectures. Unfortunately the writer chose to voice them himself. His halting delivery, mangling of words, random placement of emphasis and a seeming blindness to punctuation makes him painful to listen to and sometimes hard to follow. This series needs a professional speaker to do jusice to the excellent content.

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1 person found this helpful

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Painless way to learn

Pretty good - all I have to do is listen for an hour a day in the car or going for a walk, and I get a whole course from an Economics professor giving me an overview of the development of Economics in the last few centuries. I found it incredibly helpful - mainly because it gave me such a good overview. You get a sense of the movements, the causes and the consequences over time. Big picture stuff. I'll be doing more Great Courses for sure.

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Deep insights delivered in an exploratory tone.

The author does an excellent job of framing the economic discussion within the broader socio-cultural environment of each time period.

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1 person found this helpful

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Amazing stuff!

Very informative and it provides a comprehensive snapshot of the history of the world economy.
I would've liked to hear more of what was happening in Latin America because this region was pretty much left out of the lectures.

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1 person found this helpful

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Well constructed, thoroughly enjoyable

I have no formal qualifications in economics yet found this course totally accessible. It filled a gap in my knowledge. A fascinating overview of how economics is a driver of history. Key ideas are consolidated with examples. It very much presents a whole world view and includes stories of the thinkers who have tried to make sense of economics

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  • Dan
  • 01-11-2016

Great lecture series

At the right pace for non economics people who want to explore more. Well structured

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1 person found this helpful

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